Halo

A team that seemingly always gets up for these prime-time games, simply wouldn't cower to a double-digit, third-quarter deficit.
Drew Brees wouldn't let them. Neither would Marques Colston. And nor would a much maligned defensive unit.

Having had their season shoved to the brink of disaster, the Saints finally pushed back Sunday night, rallying for a 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers before 73,109 fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and a national television audience.

"I stood up here for four weeks and talked about the team staying together," Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer said. "And we talked about guys not giving up and getting better and I said we were close and had to get over the edge. We brought our climbing shoes to climb that mountain, and we did it tonight. And it's one game, but it's a monkey off our back and it's a good night for a win with all of these records being broken."

On the night that Brees threw had his 48th consecutive game with at least one touchdown pass, breaking the NFL record that he and Johhny Unitas held together, Brees overcame a disastrous start to the second half to help the Saints to their first win of the season after an 0-4 start.

After throwing two interceptions in the third quarter (one was negated by a roughing the passer penalty), Brees finished the game with 370 passing yards on 29 of 45 passing and four touchdowns.

Brees and Colston was an especially good tandem, as Colston caught nine passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. The final score, a 5-yarder, gave the Saints a 28-24 lead with 8:50 remaining.

The three touchdown receptions tied Colston's career high. It also marked the first time a Saints player had three touchdown receptions in a game since Colston snagged three scoring passes against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28, 2007.

"I felt really good and in a groove early on, but hit a rough spot in third quarter," Colston said. "But Drew just kept believing in me and putting the ball in a good spot for me."

For all the punishment and ridicule it has taken, the Saints' defense finally came through, recording three sacks and forcing two turnovers on the Chargers' final two possessions.

With the Saints leading 28-24, the Chargers were marching in the fourth quarter, but the defense turned in big plays on consecutive downs.

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